Modular synthesis of non-charged and ionic xylan carbamate derivatives from xylan carbonates.

•xylan aryl carbonates are versatile building blocks for modular synthesis approaches.•activated phenyl carbonates can be converted into functional xylan carbamates.•primary and secondary amines can be employed for quantitative conversion.•final properties are defined by the molecular structure of the activated intermediate.•an- and cationic xylan derivatives are both accessible from the same intermediate.